Friday, January 28, 2011

Andy Shauf - GoneAndy Shauf - How LongAndy Shauf - You Remind Me: I just recently discovered 2009's Darker Days album, and it has some fabulous folk if you are in to earnest flavours of Elliott Smith, Great Lake Swimmers or Sarah Harmer.

Annabel - The Forgetting of Names and Faces: Can't deny the unwavering energy of this power pop. From "Here We Are Tomorrow".

Blackbird Blackbird - Lasthopesgone: Another BB track that I love! Woot. I hope this is a sign of things to come. The dream-pop has faded to the Gatekeeper-esque synth lines, and the crowd rejoices!

Gui Borratto - Beautiful Life: I first heard this on the soundtrack for the short film "I'm Here", and WOW is this some epic storytelling electro. It's like the epic chug of Ulrich Schnauss, wrapped in an inspirational electro house wrapper.

Guido - Korg Back: I found this gem on the collection of originals for the "Scientist Launches Dubstep Into Outer Space" album. I haven't heard the Scientist verisons yet, but this track reminds me why I spent so much fo 2010 praising Guido. Bring it!

Meligrove Band - Bones Attack!!Meligrove Band - Halflight: Off 2010's "Shimmering Lights", these tracks are what Los Campensinos would be like if they weren't always sounding like they were fighting, and had a big ole drunk-a-thon with Dexy's Midnight Runners.

Pawn - Morning Tone: The compilation "Forma. 3.10" is full of revelations that give you inspiring evidence that IDM is still a powerful force to be reckoned with. The stark beauty of this track is argument enough for it's salvation.

Portland Cello Project - DenmarkPortland Cello Project - Take Five (Dave Brubeck cover): First, kudos for the straight-forward name. No mucking around there. The new album is "Thousand Words" and while I couldn't jive with the whole thing, I just love the gusto of it all. And hey, who doesn't love some classic Brubeck... done CELLO style???

Sunday Girl - Self Control (Laura Branigan cover): This is one of those songs where you go "holy shit! I totally forgot about that song!" until you hear someone cover it.

The Rest - Walk On Water (Auspicious Beginnings): Epic pop ala Broken Social Scene, from the 2009 album "Everyone All At Once".

Unkown Sh?pes - If I Should DieUnkown Sh?pes - Used To Give A FK: The new "If I Should Die EP" is hot shit! don't be confused by the clever name referencing the shapes in the name, this owes more to dubstep than it does to witch house. But fuck, who cares, it's super bouncey and easily the most dancefloor-ready witchy shit out there.

White Denim - Light Light Light: Off the 2009 "Last Day Of Summer" (oh what a saccarine title!), we end with a bit of dense jazz that just swishes through it's dense little clusters and leaves your brain beaming and clean.